Locking device.



J. W. BLOWER.

LOCKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1910.

977,850, Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

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JOSEPH W. BLOWER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

LOCKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 3, 1910.

Patented Dec. (5, 1910. Serial No. 580,457.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH IV. BLOWER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements inlooking devices and has particular application to a device of the classdescribed adapted to be employed in the locking or connection ofmetallic beams or bars.

In carrying out my invention, it is my purpose to provide a device ofthe character described, which will embrace in its construction thedesired features of simplicity and durability.

Still a further object of my invention 1s to providea connecting orlocking device which may be readily and easily inserted in the aliningbores oropenings of the metallic bars or beams to be joined and yetwhich cannot be accidentally withdrawn, but will require considerableeffort and labor directed to that purpose to remove the locking devicefrom the parts which it connects.

A further object of my invention is to provide a locking spike or thelike having a bi furcated shan adapted to be inserted through thealining openings in the bars or beams and wedging means coacting withthe bifurcated portion of the spike, whereby both the spike and wedgemay be readily inserted, still when the former is driven home or intoposition, it will be ditficult to remove the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed adapted particularly for connecting railway rails to metallicrailroad ties and metallic I-beams such as are used in buildingconstruction, and for other similar purposes.

With the above recited objects and others of a similar nature in View,my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangementof parts set forth in and falling within scope of the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View, in thepresent instance of a portion of a railway track, and showing myinvention used in conjunction therewith, Fig. 2 is a cross sectionalview taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3, Fig. 3 is a view partly inelevation and partly in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is ahorizontal sectional view taken through the shank of the locking deviceon the line 4L1 of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of a spikeforming a part of my locking device, and, Fig. 6 is a detail perspectiveview of the locking wedge.

In the present instance I have shown and will describe my invention asemployed in connection with railway tracks and as used in fastening themetallic rails to metallic cross ties. I wish it to be understood thatmy invention is not limited in its useful application, to the particularpurpose which by way of illustration, is herein set forth. eferring nowto the accompanying drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates ametallic cross bar, which may be in the form of a railway track tie, orin the form of an ordinary T or double channel bar. In the center of theWidth of the enlarged head or horizontal top member of the tie 1, is thevertical opening 2, which extends downwardly through said bar head andcommunicates at its lower end with a transverse bore or opening 3 in theweb 4 of the bar 1, while the numeral 5 designates the base of the tieor bar. My improved locking pin comprises the enlarged spike head 6 andthe shank 7, the upper portion 8 of said shank being integral, while thelower portion is bifurcated to form the members 99. This spike isadapted to be inserted through the vertical opening and have thebifurcated members 9-9 pass out through the transverse or horizontalopening in the web, so that the members lie on opposite sides of saidweb and in order to securely lock the spike to the rail 14 and preventthe withdrawal of the same, I provide a wedge 10, comprising a sharpenedor acute end portion 11 adapted to fit into the terminal of thebifurcated portion of the spike, while the relatively widened orbroadened part 12 of the wedge, spreads the bifurcated members so thatthe spike will be held firmly in posi tion.

In carrying out my invention, the wedge is first inserted within thebifurcated portion of the spike, the two members 99 of the latter beingclose together, so that the shank may be readily inserted through thealining openings of the rail and tie. By striking the head of the spike,the latter will be driven down through the openings .until the broadenedor widened portion 12 of the wedge abuts against the lower wall 13 ofthe horizontal opening in the web. As the wedge can be driven nofarther, the continued striking on top of the head of the spike, willcause the wedge to force the members apart until the spike is completelydrivenhome and the members are spread and clamp opposite sides of therail, as is clearly shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that by thusspreading the shank of the spike, it will be impossible to withdraw thesame until the wedge is cut or drilled away.

It will be noted that I have provided an exceedingly simple andeflicient means, whereby two rails may be firmly and securely united,and whereby the ready withdrawal of the locking means is prevented.

WVhat I claim, is

In a locking device, the combination with a bar comprising an enlargedhead portion and a central web, said head portion having a verticalopening therethrough communicating at its lower end with a transverseopening in said web, of a pin comprising an enlarged head portion and asplit shank portion, and means for spreading the members of the shankinto locking position at each side of the web, said means comprising awedge fitted within the split or bifurcated portion of the shank andadapted to have its broadened end bear against the lower wall of thetransverse opening in the web when the pin is driven into lockingposition.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH W. BLOWVER.

Witnesses:

C. C. SHEPHERD, J. P. EAGLESON.

